1840s
1846-Potato Famine
The Potato Famine caused the influx of many Irish immigrants to the United States. These immigrants were mainly Catholic and under-privileged, fleeing Ireland solely for the purpose of survival. Most found themselves in a leave or die situation.
1848-Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War and annexed part of Mexico into the United States. The Mexicans living in the new American territory were given the option to stay or return to Mexico. Many Mexicans opted to remain in the United States, thus becoming American citizens and new immigrants.
1850-1860s
Gold Rush and Railroad Construction
The California Gold Rush and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad led to the vast migration of many Chinese to the United States.
1846-Potato Famine
The Potato Famine caused the influx of many Irish immigrants to the United States. These immigrants were mainly Catholic and under-privileged, fleeing Ireland solely for the purpose of survival. Most found themselves in a leave or die situation.
1848-Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo
The Treaty of Guadelupe-Hidalgo ended the Mexican-American War and annexed part of Mexico into the United States. The Mexicans living in the new American territory were given the option to stay or return to Mexico. Many Mexicans opted to remain in the United States, thus becoming American citizens and new immigrants.
1850-1860s
Gold Rush and Railroad Construction
The California Gold Rush and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad led to the vast migration of many Chinese to the United States.
Civil War (1861-1865)
Prior to the Civil War, America had participated in the slave trade, bringing millions of people into the United States. The first undocumented immigrants were not viewed as people, but as property. After the Civil War, the United States government set in motion the laws and policies that would eventually liberate all the slaves. Repercussions of this liberation included the 14th Amendment which allowed all of the slaves that had been born in the United States to become United States citizens.
Burlingame Treaty (1868)
The Burlingame Treaty allowed someone to change their allegiance and their home from one country to another. The U.S. Senate ratified this treaty with China while the American opinion was in favor of voluntary immigration. Many Chinese took advantage of the Burlingame Treaty; their numbers were almost 60,000 people in the census of 1870.
1880s-1890s
1882- Chinese Exclusion Act
Less than fifteen years after the Burlingame Treaty, American opinion towards the Chinese had changed. The Chinese Exclusion Act, also known as "To Execute Certain Treaty Stipulations Relating to Chinese," kept the Chinese from entering the United States. Some people attribute a change in immigration policy to this law, arguing that after the Chinese Exclusion Act, America moved to be a less immigration-friendly nation. (1)
1891- Immigration Act
The Immigration Act established the LPC (Likely to Become a Public Charge) clause. The LPC clause was used to justify the exclusion of migrants from the United States. This exclusion was designed to keep new immigrants from being dependent on the government. The LPC clause mostly looked to keep out the sick, elderly and persons with noticeable physical defects.
1892- Ellis Island and Angel Island- 1910
Although many people believe their ancestors came to the United States through Ellis Island, Ellis Island was only open for a few decades. These inspection facilities were not the heartwarming or heartbreaking places that many attribute to the names Ellis Island and Angel Island. Some people were turned away from these immigration sites, but most of the physical exams that immigrants underwent were very quick and only kept those with noticeable, physical defects from entering. While Ellis Island was more lenient with letting people into the United States, Angel Island took more extreme measures to keep out Chinese people. (1)
1900s-1920s
1900- Organic Act
The Organic Act of 1900 declared that people who were citizens of Hawaii as of August 12, 1898, to be citizens of the United States. At the time of this immigration law, a large majority of the island consisted of Japanese which allowed them to immigrate to the mainland of the United States, primarily to California.
The Immigration Acts of 1917, 1921, and 1924
The Immigration Act of 1917 was the first restriction made to United States immigration. All future immigrants over the age of sixteen would have to be literate, unless the immigrant was a female with a literate male family member. The law defined literacy as being able to read any recognized language. The Immigration Act of 1917 created an "Asiatic barred zone" which added South and Southeast Asians to the growing list of people denied entry to the United States. The Immigration Act of 1921 became the first time a numerical cap was legislated, thus, this law marked the beginning of the quota system. The Immigration Act of 1924 was a nativist-motivated law. The law created a long list of nonquota immigrants, but the quota utilized the 1890 census as a basis for the percentage of immigrants allowed from any one nation, which reduced the percentage from three percent to two percent.
1930s
The Great Depression and the Stricter Use of LPC Clause
The LPC clause was originally developed to keep out immigrants who were likely to become a public charge, or dependent, of the government. Unfortunately the same clause was used in the 1930s to keep out people who did not have a higher level of skill or money. When remembering the time period under which this interpretation was used, the Great Depression, this modification can be viewed as understandable, however, with Hitler's rise to power many fleeing Europe were turned away.
Hitler's rise to power
In the 1930s, while the United States still found themselves struggling with the Great Depression, Europe was beginning to see some warning signs of Hitler's rise to power. Not liking what they saw, some people began leaving Germany and some of the surrounding countries, fleeing to the United States.
1940s
WWII (1939-1945)
Contrary to what one may believe, the levels of immigration to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere dropped to the lowest levels ever recorded. (1) With the turmoil in Europe due to the Third Reich, concentration camps and Hitler, immigration to America as most likely the last thing on a lot of peoples' minds. People in Europe were so concerned with surviving World War II that they had neither the time nor the money to immigrate to the United States.
Alien Registration Act of 1940
In April 1940, Roosevelt signed the Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act. The Alien Registration Act contained forty-one sections under three main categories: Title I, Title II, and Title III. Title I covered covered times of peace, providing penalties for subversive acts, such as interfering with the United States military. Title II created a list of activities for which aliens could be deported. Title III required aliens to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (1). For more information on Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his administration during World War II visit: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007411.
Repeal of Chinese Exclusion Act (1943)
The Civil War in China was fought between a Communist Party and the Nationalist Party, a group that wanted a new or different government to be established, basically an Anti-Communist party. The United States is widely known to be against the spread of Communism. This led to the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943. The purpose behind the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act was to aid those trying to escape the threat of a Communist government.
War Brides Act (1945)
The War Brides Act of 1945 allowed for the spouses and children of those who were serving or had served in the United States military to immigrate to America. A few months later, this Act was extended to include the future spouses of military members (1). Many Chinese and Filipino Americans took advantage of the War Brides Act, especially after the Independence of the Philippines in 1945.
Independence of Philippines (1945)
While the independence of the Philippines may seem like a gift of freedom for the Filipino people, there was a motive behind this action. According to the 14th Amendment, those born in the U.S. territory were United States citizens. The United States wanted the migration of Filipinos to be counted in the established quota system as a means to control the influx of Filipino immigrants.
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
In an effort to aid all the people displaced from their homes and/or countries after World War II, the United States passed the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. This allowed 100,000 displaced persons over the set quotas to enter the United States each year that the Displaced Persons Act was in action (1). It became inactive in 1952.
1950s
Cold War
1900- Organic Act
The Organic Act of 1900 declared that people who were citizens of Hawaii as of August 12, 1898, to be citizens of the United States. At the time of this immigration law, a large majority of the island consisted of Japanese which allowed them to immigrate to the mainland of the United States, primarily to California.
The Immigration Acts of 1917, 1921, and 1924
The Immigration Act of 1917 was the first restriction made to United States immigration. All future immigrants over the age of sixteen would have to be literate, unless the immigrant was a female with a literate male family member. The law defined literacy as being able to read any recognized language. The Immigration Act of 1917 created an "Asiatic barred zone" which added South and Southeast Asians to the growing list of people denied entry to the United States. The Immigration Act of 1921 became the first time a numerical cap was legislated, thus, this law marked the beginning of the quota system. The Immigration Act of 1924 was a nativist-motivated law. The law created a long list of nonquota immigrants, but the quota utilized the 1890 census as a basis for the percentage of immigrants allowed from any one nation, which reduced the percentage from three percent to two percent.
1930s
The Great Depression and the Stricter Use of LPC Clause
The LPC clause was originally developed to keep out immigrants who were likely to become a public charge, or dependent, of the government. Unfortunately the same clause was used in the 1930s to keep out people who did not have a higher level of skill or money. When remembering the time period under which this interpretation was used, the Great Depression, this modification can be viewed as understandable, however, with Hitler's rise to power many fleeing Europe were turned away.
Hitler's rise to power
In the 1930s, while the United States still found themselves struggling with the Great Depression, Europe was beginning to see some warning signs of Hitler's rise to power. Not liking what they saw, some people began leaving Germany and some of the surrounding countries, fleeing to the United States.
1940s
WWII (1939-1945)
Contrary to what one may believe, the levels of immigration to the United States from outside the Western Hemisphere dropped to the lowest levels ever recorded. (1) With the turmoil in Europe due to the Third Reich, concentration camps and Hitler, immigration to America as most likely the last thing on a lot of peoples' minds. People in Europe were so concerned with surviving World War II that they had neither the time nor the money to immigrate to the United States.
Alien Registration Act of 1940
In April 1940, Roosevelt signed the Alien Registration Act of 1940, also known as the Smith Act. The Alien Registration Act contained forty-one sections under three main categories: Title I, Title II, and Title III. Title I covered covered times of peace, providing penalties for subversive acts, such as interfering with the United States military. Title II created a list of activities for which aliens could be deported. Title III required aliens to register with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) (1). For more information on Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his administration during World War II visit: http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007411.
Repeal of Chinese Exclusion Act (1943)
The Civil War in China was fought between a Communist Party and the Nationalist Party, a group that wanted a new or different government to be established, basically an Anti-Communist party. The United States is widely known to be against the spread of Communism. This led to the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943. The purpose behind the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act was to aid those trying to escape the threat of a Communist government.
War Brides Act (1945)
The War Brides Act of 1945 allowed for the spouses and children of those who were serving or had served in the United States military to immigrate to America. A few months later, this Act was extended to include the future spouses of military members (1). Many Chinese and Filipino Americans took advantage of the War Brides Act, especially after the Independence of the Philippines in 1945.
Independence of Philippines (1945)
While the independence of the Philippines may seem like a gift of freedom for the Filipino people, there was a motive behind this action. According to the 14th Amendment, those born in the U.S. territory were United States citizens. The United States wanted the migration of Filipinos to be counted in the established quota system as a means to control the influx of Filipino immigrants.
Displaced Persons Act of 1948
In an effort to aid all the people displaced from their homes and/or countries after World War II, the United States passed the Displaced Persons Act of 1948. This allowed 100,000 displaced persons over the set quotas to enter the United States each year that the Displaced Persons Act was in action (1). It became inactive in 1952.
1950s
Cold War
Internal Security Act of 1950
The Internal Security Act of 1950 placed many restrictions on those entering the United States, such as refusing to allow members from certain organizations and requiring that thirty percent of the people entering the United States be farmers (1). With the Displaced Persons Act active when the Internal Security Act of 1950 was passed, the United States may have needed to find a way to restrict the number or immigrants entering the United States.
Lehman- Humphrey Bill (1952)
The Lehman-Humphrey Bill acknowledged the Asia-Pacific Triangle which gave quotas of 100 to Asian Nations. In addition, the 1952 law clarified that the Asians who immigrated to the United States would be charged to the quotas of the countries of their birth (1). This would relieve the some of the pressure off countries with lower quotas.
1952 Immigration and Nationality Act
The Immigration and Nationality Act made changes to United States immigration laws. The 1952 law changed the quota systems for Europe and Asia and the grounds for deportation and subversion (1). More information on the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as other United States laws can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/laws/immigration-and-nationality-act.
Refugee Relief Act of 1953
The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 marked the first time that the word "refugee" appeared in a United States law. The law allowed refugees to come to the United States without the stress, hassle, and time it took to follow normal immigration procedures. The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 also placed a preference to the refugees of Communist countries (2).
1960s
Immigration Act of 1965
The immigration Act of 1965 abolished the infamous quota system. In place of of the quota system, hemispheric limits were placed, with a cap for both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres (1). The Immigration Act of 1965 placed a large emphasis on preference visas, which mostly were given to family members of American citizens. The family reunification process continues to be a large influence in American immigration policy today.
1966- Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act
The Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act allowed the Cuban refugees seeking asylum to avoid the normal process of obtaining refugee status (4). This act was passed by the United States to allow those trying to escape the Communist rule of Cuba to come to the Democratic United States. For more information and discussion on the 1966 Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act visit: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-SORT&inPS=true&prodId=AONE&userGroupName=newb94340&tabID=T002&searchId=R3&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA261386430&&docId=GALE|A261386430&docType=GALE&role=
1980s
Refugee Act of 1980
The Refugee Act of 1980 granted political asylum to refugees regardless of their countries and ideologies (2). "The 1980 act incorporated the language of the 1967 United Nations Protocol on Refugees, which defined a refugee as someone who, "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is . . . unable or . . . unwilling to return to it' " (3). This Refugee Act made it more difficult for those seeking asylum to enter the United States.
1990s
1990- Immigration Act of 1990
The Immigration Act of 1990 set a fixed cap at 700,000 each year for the years 1992-1994 after which the cap would drop to 675,000. The 1990 act added a list of restrictions, while expanding some employment-based immigration. For a more detailed break down of the Immigration Act of 1990 visit http://immigration.laws.com/immigration-act-of-1990
1994- Proposition 187
A California law regarding immigrants, Proposition 187, was a controversial proposal that has led to many other State Governments passing stricter laws on immigration as an attempt to control immigration within their borders.
The Internal Security Act of 1950 placed many restrictions on those entering the United States, such as refusing to allow members from certain organizations and requiring that thirty percent of the people entering the United States be farmers (1). With the Displaced Persons Act active when the Internal Security Act of 1950 was passed, the United States may have needed to find a way to restrict the number or immigrants entering the United States.
Lehman- Humphrey Bill (1952)
The Lehman-Humphrey Bill acknowledged the Asia-Pacific Triangle which gave quotas of 100 to Asian Nations. In addition, the 1952 law clarified that the Asians who immigrated to the United States would be charged to the quotas of the countries of their birth (1). This would relieve the some of the pressure off countries with lower quotas.
1952 Immigration and Nationality Act
The Immigration and Nationality Act made changes to United States immigration laws. The 1952 law changed the quota systems for Europe and Asia and the grounds for deportation and subversion (1). More information on the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act, as well as other United States laws can be found at http://www.uscis.gov/laws/immigration-and-nationality-act.
Refugee Relief Act of 1953
The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 marked the first time that the word "refugee" appeared in a United States law. The law allowed refugees to come to the United States without the stress, hassle, and time it took to follow normal immigration procedures. The Refugee Relief Act of 1953 also placed a preference to the refugees of Communist countries (2).
1960s
Immigration Act of 1965
The immigration Act of 1965 abolished the infamous quota system. In place of of the quota system, hemispheric limits were placed, with a cap for both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres (1). The Immigration Act of 1965 placed a large emphasis on preference visas, which mostly were given to family members of American citizens. The family reunification process continues to be a large influence in American immigration policy today.
1966- Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act
The Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act allowed the Cuban refugees seeking asylum to avoid the normal process of obtaining refugee status (4). This act was passed by the United States to allow those trying to escape the Communist rule of Cuba to come to the Democratic United States. For more information and discussion on the 1966 Cuban Refugee Adjustment Act visit: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-SORT&inPS=true&prodId=AONE&userGroupName=newb94340&tabID=T002&searchId=R3&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA261386430&&docId=GALE|A261386430&docType=GALE&role=
1980s
Refugee Act of 1980
The Refugee Act of 1980 granted political asylum to refugees regardless of their countries and ideologies (2). "The 1980 act incorporated the language of the 1967 United Nations Protocol on Refugees, which defined a refugee as someone who, "owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality and is . . . unable or . . . unwilling to return to it' " (3). This Refugee Act made it more difficult for those seeking asylum to enter the United States.
1990s
1990- Immigration Act of 1990
The Immigration Act of 1990 set a fixed cap at 700,000 each year for the years 1992-1994 after which the cap would drop to 675,000. The 1990 act added a list of restrictions, while expanding some employment-based immigration. For a more detailed break down of the Immigration Act of 1990 visit http://immigration.laws.com/immigration-act-of-1990
1994- Proposition 187
A California law regarding immigrants, Proposition 187, was a controversial proposal that has led to many other State Governments passing stricter laws on immigration as an attempt to control immigration within their borders.
Early 2000s
2001- USA Patriot Act
A repercussion of September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act was created with the intention of increasing the security of the United States. Although President George W. Bush may have had a good intent for the Patriot Act, the actions that were permitted by the law were not greatly received. The Patriot Act allowed events such as wire tapping and racial profiling of American citizens and non-citizens alike (and especially of travelers).
2001- USA Patriot Act
A repercussion of September 11, 2001, the Patriot Act was created with the intention of increasing the security of the United States. Although President George W. Bush may have had a good intent for the Patriot Act, the actions that were permitted by the law were not greatly received. The Patriot Act allowed events such as wire tapping and racial profiling of American citizens and non-citizens alike (and especially of travelers).
References
Text:
1) Daniels, Roger. Guarding the Golden Door. 1st. New York: Hill and Wang, 2004. Print.
2) Dreifus, Claudia. "No refugees need apply; six years ago Congress eased restrictions on seekers of political asylum." Atlantic Feb. 1987: 32+. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.
3) Dreifus p. 1
4) Alum, Alexander L., and Joyce A. Hughes. "Rethinking the Cuban Adjustment Act and the U.S. national interest." St. Thomas Law Review Spring 2011: 187+.Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.
Videos:
First Video: Adkins, Josie. The California Goldrush and the Chinese. 2011. video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCMsOX844_s>.
Second Video: Media Rich Learning. From World War to Cold War. 2009. Video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpYCplyBknI>.
Third Video: Mitchell, Daniel. California's Proposition 187. 2007. Video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3x5cFl9Umo>.
Photos:
Cover Photo: Steiner , Edward. Landmarks in Immigration History. 1906. Photograph. Digital History, New York. Web. 10 Oct 2013.
Text:
1) Daniels, Roger. Guarding the Golden Door. 1st. New York: Hill and Wang, 2004. Print.
2) Dreifus, Claudia. "No refugees need apply; six years ago Congress eased restrictions on seekers of political asylum." Atlantic Feb. 1987: 32+. Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.
3) Dreifus p. 1
4) Alum, Alexander L., and Joyce A. Hughes. "Rethinking the Cuban Adjustment Act and the U.S. national interest." St. Thomas Law Review Spring 2011: 187+.Academic OneFile. Web. 23 Nov. 2013.
Videos:
First Video: Adkins, Josie. The California Goldrush and the Chinese. 2011. video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCMsOX844_s>.
Second Video: Media Rich Learning. From World War to Cold War. 2009. Video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpYCplyBknI>.
Third Video: Mitchell, Daniel. California's Proposition 187. 2007. Video. YouTubeWeb. 24 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3x5cFl9Umo>.
Photos:
Cover Photo: Steiner , Edward. Landmarks in Immigration History. 1906. Photograph. Digital History, New York. Web. 10 Oct 2013.